The United Arab Emirates has emerged as the holder of the world's strongest passport in the 2026 Passport Index compiled by Arton Capital, The Economic Times reported. The UAE leads the ranking with a Mobility Score of 182, granting Emirati passport holders access to 182 destinations without needing to secure a traditional visa in advance.
According to the index, the UAE's score comprises 138 destinations accessible completely visa-free and 44 destinations covered by simplified entry arrangements. This places the UAE seven destinations ahead of second-placed Singapore and Malaysia, which share the rank with access to 175 destinations each, and eight ahead of third-placed Spain with 174 destinations.
The fourth position is shared by 17 countries scoring 173 destinations, including Japan alongside European nations such as Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, and Sweden. The United States ranks 10th in the global assessment, the report noted.
India ranks 72nd globally with a Mobility Score of 70, encompassing 30 visa-free destinations and 40 destinations offering visas on arrival, while 128 destinations still require advance visas. The report added that the index updates in real time based on changes to visa regulations and measures destination access rather than broader economic strength, international influence, or residency eligibility.
Sources
- The Economic Times · 2026-10-14
